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Staff / Lead Systems Engineer – Diagnostic Instrumentation
Spectacular Labs | Berkeley, CA | On-site
About Spectacular Labs
Spectacular Labs is developing a next-generation automated molecular detection platform for rapid pathogen testing. Our Spectacular Detection System integrates sample preparation, cartridge-based fluidics, thermal control, optical detection, embedded electronics, and cloud-connected analytics into a compact instrument designed for use outside traditional laboratory environments.
Our first market is food safety, where faster and more accessible pathogen testing can have immediate real-world impact. Over time, the same platform can support broader applications across environmental monitoring, water quality, agriculture, and molecular diagnostics.
We are looking for a Staff / Lead Systems Engineer in our growing engineering team who can take ownership of complex instrument integration and help drive the platform from prototype into validation, manufacturing, and future generations.
The Role
This is a hands-on systems engineering role for someone who enjoys building real hardware, debugging complex instruments, and making multidisciplinary systems work reliably.
You will be working with our growing engineering team of mechanical, electrical and optics.
You will work across mechanical, fluidic, thermal, optical, electrical, firmware, and assay development domains. The right person can understand the full system, identify what matters most, prioritize technical risks, and drive execution without needing constant direction.
This role is ideal for someone who has worked on complex instruments such as molecular diagnostics platforms, sequencing systems, flow cytometers, analytical instruments, medical devices, robotics, or other tightly integrated hardware systems.
Responsibilities
- Own instrument architecture and system integration across mechanical, fluidic, thermal, optical, electrical, firmware, and assay interfaces
- Drive system-level debugging, root-cause analysis, validation, and reliability improvement
- Identify the most important technical risks and prioritize engineering work accordingly
- Develop and execute test plans for subsystem and full-system characterization
- Improve calibration, repeatability, and robustness of cartridge-based biological assay workflows
- Work closely with assay scientists to ensure the instrument reliably supports biological performance requirements
- Collaborate with electrical, firmware, mechanical, assay, and manufacturing partners
- Support transition from prototype builds to manufacturing-ready systems
- Define documentation, design records, test procedures, and engineering controls needed for scale-up
- Help guide future generations of the platform with a focus on simplicity, manufacturability, and reliability
What We’re Looking ForRequired Qualifications
- BS, MS, or PhD in Mechanical Engineering, Bioengineering, Physics, Electrical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, or a related technical field
- 7+ years of experience developing complex hardware systems, instruments, or electromechanical products
- Strong systems-level thinking and ability to reason across multiple technical domains
- Experience taking products or complex prototypes through debugging, validation, and iteration
- Strong hands-on engineering ability: building, testing, troubleshooting, and improving real systems
- Ability to prioritize effectively in a fast-moving startup environment
- Clear communication and strong documentation habits
- Comfortable working on-site in a lab / build environment in Berkeley, CA
Strongly Preferred
- Experience with molecular diagnostics, sequencing, flow cytometry, analytical instrumentation, or life-science tools
- Experience with fluidics, microfluidics, millifluidics, pumps, valves, cartridges, or consumables
- Experience with thermal control systems, temperature calibration, or assay-driven temperature requirements
- Experience with optical detection, fluorescence, imaging, sensors, or signal calibration
- Experience integrating mechanical systems with embedded electronics and firmware
- Experience with manufacturing transfer, DFM/DFA, vendors, pilot builds, or validation testing
- Familiarity with regulated product development, design controls, FMEA, verification, or validation
What Makes Someone Successful in This Role
The ideal candidate is not just a strong mechanical engineer. They are a systems thinker.
You should be comfortable asking:
- What changed?
- What is the highest-risk part of the system?
- What test would isolate the issue?
- What data do we need before changing the design?
- What is good enough for this generation versus what belongs in the next one?
We are looking for someone who can bring structure, judgment, and execution discipline to a complex multidisciplinary product.
Compensation
- Base salary range: $130,000 – $180,000, depending on experience and level
- Equity: Meaningful early-stage stock option grant
- Final compensation will be based on experience, role scope, and expected impact
Benefits
- Health, dental, and vision insurance
- 401(k) retirement plan
- Paid time off and company holidays
- High-impact role on a small, mission-driven team
Location & Work Style
This is an on-site role in Berkeley, CA.
The work is highly hands-on and requires close interaction with the instrument, cartridges, assay development, engineering builds, and manufacturing partners.
Why Join Spectacular Labs?
You will have the opportunity to help bring a real, complex diagnostic instrument from prototype into the field.
This is a high-ownership role with direct impact on:
- product architecture
- system reliability
- manufacturing readiness
- future platform direction
- the company’s technical foundation
We are a small team solving hard problems at the intersection of biology, hardware, and software.
How to Apply
Please send your resume and a brief description of why you believe you would be a strong fit for this role to:
jobs@spectacularlabs.com
Please include “Staff / Lead Systems Engineer Application” in the subject line.
